USC has another chance to rewrite its history

Steve Spurrier said last week he believes that history "factors into everything."

That's not necessarily a good thing for his No. 18 South Carolina Gamecocks, who are currently 6-2 heading down the stretch this season.

Here's a quick history lesson: USC started 2001 6-2 and finished 9-3. In 2002, it turned a 5-3 start into 5-7. The following year, it went from 5-3 to 5-7. In 2004, a solid 6-3 beginning led to a 6-5 final record. In 2005 — Spurrier's first season in Columbia — 7-3 turned into 7-5; 2006 was a 5-5 start that led to an 8-5 ending. In 2007, 6-2 went to 6-6. In 2008, 7-3 finished with 7-6. And in 2009, the Gamecocks again started 6-2 but ended 7-6.

Finishing has obviously been a major problem. During that span, the Gamecocks have ended on at least a two-game winning streak just twice.

The schedule deserves a lot of the blame. Many have called it the "orange crush," where USC plays Tennessee, Florida and Clemson down the stretch.

And on most occasions, Arkansas is sandwiched in there somewhere. The Razorbacks are the Gamecocks' constant nemesis from the SEC West, holding an 11-7 advantage over them since 1992.

Just like so many times in the last decade, Spurrier's boys find themselves on the verge of something big. In two weeks, the Gamecocks will play probably their most important game in school history when they go down to Florida with the winner claiming the SEC East. But for now, let's stick to the big picture.

Ending strong shows how good, or bad, you really are. It also usually decides what kind of bowl experience you get, if eligible to enjoy the postseason. And finally, finishing with momentum carries over into the next season and can help a team get a good preseason ranking, which matters greatly if it has national title aspirations.

"It's always interesting that after eight games, everybody in the country almost halfway assumes, ‘Well, this is the kind of year they've had.' And it's really only two-thirds over with," Spurrier said this week. "The final third really determines what kind of year you've had."

On Saturday against Arkansas, USC begins a stretch that could rewrite the history books. After the Razorbacks and Gators, the Gamecocks host Sun Belt foe Troy before heading to Death Valley for the Palmetto State showdown with Clemson. The biggest reason things could be different this year is the competition. While the Razorbacks are pretty good, USC gets them at home, where it's been unbeatable this year. Florida isn't the same Florida and has a struggling offense. Struggling doesn't quite describe Clemson's situation right now, which could get worse before the Gamecocks come to town. And Spurrier's got better weapons than in the past.

Equaling the 10 wins of the 1984 team — the most in school history — or even passing sounds impossible based on the past. But if it did happen, a lot of history could be erased.